A report released a few days ago claimed that the patrolling vessels used by the coastal police were outdated. It is very well known that the fisheries department does not have enough patrolling vessels. In such a situation, the question arises as to what happens to the enforcement of the fishing ban. The matter cannot be limited to fishing ban, since coastal security is equally important during the monsoon. After terrorists entered via the sea route and attacked Mumbai, there were high level discussions about tackling such intrusions. The ministers also discussed it. It was proposed to install high resolution cameras in coastal areas. Considering the contribution and involvement of several agencies in the security of the country, a special software was developed. The state government’s efforts were required to utilize it. Whenever a ship drifts near the shore, the need for coastal security is discussed at all levels.
A year ago, the Japanese vessel MOL Comfort had broken into two pieces near the Konkan coast. The wreckage was then washed ashore. Apprehensions were raised that the four thousand odd containers on the vessel would also be washed ashore, and thus the question of coastal security came to the fore.
The River Princess was similarly grounded near the Candolim shore. A government report claimed that a rise in waves due to this phenomenon swallowed a major part of the Sinquerim-Candolim shore. Since the vessel was drifting and grounded on shore, the question was –how to remove it? It is proved from the incident that there is no government mechanism to control or stop such drifting vessels. Hence, the fact that the government can’t do anything apart from warning the captains of other vessels, cannot be hidden.
The issue of coastal security has always been a topic of discussion. The coastal states started a special department named marine or coastal police, and there was a hype about it for some time. The marine police stations were activated, but the small vessels provided by the police were inefficient for patrolling. The bigger vessels have not been made available yet. This is a serious concern for coastal security. It is often said that fishermen should help the security forces to prevent any subversive forces from entering the country through the coastal route. Subversive forces or terrorists shouldn’t enter the country in fishermen’s disguise. Hence, during the initial period, biometric identity cards were given to fishermen. Now there is a lot of laxity. Basically, fishermen are migrants from other states like Bihar and Odisha. There is no guarantee that the worker employed on one trawler would return the next year. The worker may go to some other state. Therefore there is no guarantee that the card generated is still in use. Reforms are required here. The jurisdiction of coastal police is up to 12 nautical miles. The concerned state police can stop vessels that are moving in their jurisdiction. About 100 miles outside this boundary the waters belongs to the coast guard, and beyond this line is manned by the navy. The international water way passes from the area beyond the 12 nautical mile boundary. Hundreds of vessels heading towards the gulf countries pass from near the Konkan region. Hence, it is not possible to check every vessel. One cannot compare the police patrolling vessel to the huge cargo vessel passing by. Even if a cargo vessel enters the 12 nautical mile area, the marine police cannot act without the help of the coast guard. The positions in the marine police department are filled by normal police. Actually, there is a need for special recruitment for marine police. Only training them for swimming in sea waters is not enough, but they should be taught about combating and using weapons on the waters. For this, the only option would be to establish marine police on the lines of commandos. The state government should take steps to show that it is seriously concerned about coastal security and act accordingly. The state police do exercise with the central agencies, but there needs to be rethinking over it. Rainy season can be utilized to do away with all these discrepancies. We must not forget that the monsoon is not only about fishing bans, but also important for coastal security.
